KUALA TERENGGANU — STEM education is taking on a more practical dimension as schoolchildren are increasingly encouraged to apply what they learn in the classroom to address challenges in everyday life.
The shift was reflected in the inaugural YDSM Young Innovators Competition, jointly organised by Yayasan DiRaja Sultan Mizan (YDSM), a royal charitable foundation under the Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, and Pusat Sains dan Kreativiti Terengganu (PSKT).
The one-day competition at PSKT on Oct 4 attracted 203 entries from schools across Terengganu, including religious-stream schools, with participation recorded from all districts in the state.
The broad participation also highlighted growing interest in STEM and innovation beyond urban schools, with pupils from SK Keruak in Hulu Besut and SK Kuala Berang in Hulu Terengganu among those taking part, while pupils from SK Pulau Perhentian had to cross the sea to compete.
YDSM Board of Trustees member Dato’ Mohd Fadzli Yusof said the initiative could contribute to the development of both Terengganu and the country by providing students from different backgrounds with opportunities to explore education, technology and innovation.
“The main objective of Yayasan DiRaja Sultan Mizan, or YDSM, is to improve, empower and enhance the socio-economic status of the people of Terengganu in particular and Malaysia in general. When we talk about socio-economic development, it covers various fields including education. In the modern education system, we recognise the importance of TVET.
“Equal opportunities should also be given to every school student regardless of the background of their school, institution or educational stream. We can see today that religious-stream schools are also taking part. This is a good benchmark for our joint efforts,” said Mohd Fadzli, who was at the venue to observe the competition.
PSKT chief executive officer Mohd Huzairil Nizam Ibrahim said the involvement of judges from relevant government agencies, industry and the education sector added value to the competition by exposing students to assessment by professionals with experience in their respective fields.
“Although the categories involve products and innovations for persons with disabilities, senior citizens and everyday safety using artificial intelligence (AI), the students are able to come up with ideas and develop them into products. This is also a good benchmark for STEM education,” he said.
The competition featured 203 presentations across five categories, with the top five entries in each category advancing to the final round for the Yayasan DiRaja Sultan Mizan Cup. The winners will be announced at the end of the year.